Apparatus and method for providing a personalized bass tactile output associated with an audio signal

ABSTRACT

In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for providing a tactile output associated with an audio output is provided. The apparatus includes a head unit that is coupled to a plurality of tactile transducers with each tactile transducer being positioned in a seat of a vehicle. The head unit is configured to receive a command indicative of a desired tactile feedback for a seat of the vehicle, the desired tactile feedback is associated with an audio output that is played back by one or more speakers in the vehicle. The head unit is further configured to transmit a control signal indicative of the desired tactile feedback to be provided by a tactile transducer in the seat of the vehicle such that the tactile transducer generates the desired tactile feedback at the seat while the one or more speakers in the vehicle playback the audio output.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional Application No.62/439,699 filed on Dec. 28, 2016, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects disclosed herein generally relate to an apparatus and method forproviding a personalized bass tactile output that is associated with anaudio signal for users in a vehicle. These aspects and others will bediscussed in more detail herein.

BACKGROUND

In current audio systems, bass for an audio output is generally set foran entire listening room. This type of blanket approach with respect tosetting the bass fails to account for each user's audio preferences withrespect to the bass settings of the audio output. For example, varioususers or listeners of the audio output may desire a certain tactile feelwith respect to the bass associated with the audio output. Current audiosystems fail to provide this tactile feedback on an individualized basiswith respect to the bass of the audio output.

SUMMARY

In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for providing a tactile outputassociated with an audio output is provided. The apparatus includes ahead unit that is operably coupled to a plurality of tactile transducerswith each tactile transducer being positioned in a seat of a vehicle.The head unit is configured to receive a first command indicative of afirst desired tactile feedback for a first seat of the vehicle, thefirst desired tactile feedback is associated with an audio output thatis played back by one or more speakers in the vehicle. The heat unit isfurther configured to transmit a first control signal indicative of thefirst desired tactile feedback to be provided by a first tactiletransducer in the first seat of the vehicle such that the first tactiletransducer generates the first desired tactile feedback at the firstseat while the one or more speakers in the vehicle playback the audiooutput.

In at least another embodiment, a computer-program product embodied in anon-transitory computer read-able medium that is programmed forproviding a tactile output associated with an audio output with aplurality of tactile transducers is provided. Each tactile transducer ispositioned in a seat of a vehicle. The computer-program product includesinstructions for receiving a first command indicative of a first desiredtactile feedback for a first seat of the vehicle, the first desiredtactile feedback being associated with an audio output that is playedback by one or more speakers in the vehicle. The computer-programproduct further includes instructions for transmitting a first controlsignal indicative of the first desired tactile feedback to be providedby a first tactile transducer in the first seat of the vehicle such thatthe first tactile transducer generates the first desired tactilefeedback at the first seat while the one or more speakers in the vehicleplayback the audio output.

In at least another embodiment, an apparatus for providing a tactileoutput associated with an audio output is provided. The apparatusincludes a tactile transducer configured to be positioned in a seat of avehicle to provide a tactile feedback associated with an audio outputthat is played back by one or more speakers in the vehicle. The tactiletransducer is further configured to be operably coupled to a head unitthat receives a command indicative of a desired tactile feedback for theseat and that transmits a control signal indicative of desired tactilefeedback to be provided by the tactile transducer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the present disclosure are pointed out withparticularity in the appended claims. However, other features of thevarious embodiments will become more apparent and will be bestunderstood by referring to the following detailed description inconjunction with the accompany drawings in which:

FIG. 1 generally depicts a vehicle including an apparatus for providinga personalized bass tactile output for a user in accordance to oneembodiment;

FIG. 2 generally depicts one example of the manner in which two tactiletransducers are provided in a seat in the vehicle in accordance to oneembodiment;

FIG. 3 generally depicts a method for providing a personalized basstactile output for a user in accordance to one embodiment; and

FIG. 4 generally depicts a method for determining an occupant in vehicleseats for controlling the tactile bass transducer based on whether theoccupant is positioned on the seats in accordance to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in variousand alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; somefeatures may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particularcomponents. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

It is recognized that the controllers as disclosed herein may includevarious microprocessors, integrated circuits, memory devices (e.g.,FLASH, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyprogrammable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasableprogrammable read only memory (EEPROM), or other suitable variantsthereof), and software which co-act with one another to performoperation(s) disclosed herein. In addition, such controller(s) utilizeone or more microprocessors to execute a computer-program that isembodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium that is programmedto perform any number of the functions as disclosed. Further, thecontroller(s) as provided herein includes a housing and various numberof microprocessors, integrated circuits, and memory devices ((e.g.,FLASH, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyprogrammable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasableprogrammable read only memory (EEPROM)) positioned within the housing.The controller(s) as disclosed also include hardware based inputs andoutputs for receiving and transmitting data, respectively from and toother hardware based devices as discussed herein.

An apparatus and method for providing a personalized bass tactile outputthat is associated with an audio signal for users in a vehicle isdisclosed herein. The apparatus and method may enable a user the abilityto select a corresponding bass tactile feedback associated with an audiooutput signal in a vehicle listening environment. This creates a betteruser experience for the user. In addition to the audio bass experience,each seat in the vehicle can tailor their tactile bass experience.Therefore, a user who likes to feel their seats rumble excessively canset the bass tactile level accordingly. Conversely, a user who desires alesser physical experience can set their bass tactile level accordingly.

Specifically, a tactile transducer (or puck) may be installed in eachseating location in the vehicle. The tactile transducer can be installedeither in the back or under the seat or a combination of both. It may beadvantageous to attach the tactile transducer to the seat frame so thatthe tactile feed (or vibration) is evenly distributed on the frame. Theseat mounting locations may be physically separated from one another toprevent disturbance to other users (or passengers) in the vehicle. Anexample of this may include bench seating. The tactile transducer mayprovide little to no audible output. Specifically, the tactiletransducer may provide the sensation to the passenger that more bass (orlow frequency) is present in the audio output by virtue of the presenceof the tactile output.

The tactile output of the tactile transducer may be tuned to complimentthe audio system. During the tuning operation, a user may sit in thevehicle while the audio system outputs tones at various bass frequencies(e.g., 20-70 Hz) so that the frequencies provide the same amount ofvibration. The tuning operation may be performed with an accelerometer.

The user can control the amount of vibration (or tactile feedback)provided by the tactile transducer for a low frequency signal that is inthe range of 20-70 Hz. It is contemplated that the tactile transducermay enable the user to control the tactile feedback for higher or lowerfrequencies than the foregoing range based on the overall tuning ofsystem. The apparatus provides adjustable tactile control for eachtactile transducer that is located at a corresponding seat (i.e.,personalization). An amplifier may be provided for each tactiletransducer to provide gain control for the tactile output provided bythe tactile transducer. For gain control, this aspect corresponds to acorrelation between volume control and the tactile feedback. If there ismore gain applied (i.e., more volume being applied), then the tactiletransducer provides more vibrations. If there is less gain applied(i.e., less volume being applied), then the tactile transducer providesless vibrations. Various switching devices such as physical knobspositioned proximate to a seat, mobile devices, individualized touchscreens, or a user interface on a head unit may enable the user tocontrol the amount of tactile feedback provided by the tactiletransducer. The tactile transducer in a corresponding seat will remaindeactivated in the event a passenger is not detected (i.e., no one issitting in the seat). In this case, the head unit may be operablycoupled to an occupant sensor that is positioned in each seat of thevehicle. The head unit may simply deactivate the tactile transducer inresponse to the occupant sensor failing to detect a passenger in thecorresponding seat. This may minimize power consumption for the vehicleand provide overall electrical efficiency of the system.

FIG. 1 generally depicts a vehicle 10 including an apparatus 12 forproviding a personalized tactile output (or feedback) for a user inaccordance to one embodiment. The vehicle 10 generally includes aplurality of seats 14 a-14 d (“14”) positioned within an interior cabinthereof. It is recognized that the number of seats positioned within thevehicle 10 may vary based on the desired criteria of a particularapplication. The apparatus 12 generally includes a head unit (or audiocontroller), an amplifier 18, and a plurality of tactile transducers 20a-20 d (“20”). Each tactile transducer 20 is generally configured toprovide a tactile feedback that corresponds to lower frequency signalsthat are present on an audio output signal (or audio output) provided byvarious speakers 21 positioned throughout the vehicle 10. The head unit16 may provide the audio output for playback by the speakers 21. Thehead unit 16 associates the corresponding audio output with the selectedbass tactile feedback. Alternatively, the head unit 16 may receive theaudio output from another controller positioned in the vehicle 10 andassociate the corresponding audio output with the selected bass tactilefeedback.

The tactile feedback may be in the form of vibrations to enable the userto feel the sensation of the low frequency portions on the audio outputsignal. Each tactile transducer 20 may be implemented, for example, as aPUCK tactile transducer mini bass shaker (or “bass shaker”) as providedby Dayton Audio having a place of business at 705 Pleasant Valley Dr.,Springboard, Ohio 45066. The head unit 16 includes a user interface (notshown) to enable a user to independently control the amount of tactilefeedback each tactile transducer 20 provides for a given user (oroccupant). For example, the seat 14 a may correspond to a front driverside seat, the seat 14 b may correspond to a front passenger side seat,the seat 14 c may correspond to a rear left passenger seat, and the seat14 d may correspond to a rear right passenger seat. A user mayseparately control the amount of tactile feedback provided at the frontdriver side seat 14 a, the front passenger side seat 14 b, the rear leftpassenger seat 14 c, and the rear right passenger seat 14 d via a userinterface on the head unit 16. In this case, the amplifier 18 provides aseparate channel or output to each corresponding seat 14 a-14 d toenable independent control of the tactile transducer 20.

Additionally or alternatively, any number of mobile devices 23 may beoperably coupled to the head unit 16 and control the amount of tactilefeedback provided by the corresponding tactile transducer 20. Forexample, the mobile device 23 may communicate via Bluetooth® or othersuitable wireless communication protocol with the head unit 16 tocontrol the amount of tactile feedback provided by the tactiletransducer 20. The mobile device 23 may be a cell phone, iPad® tablet,laptop, etc. The mobile device 23 may include an application that isexecuted by at least one controller thereon that provides a userinterface and which further provides the user the option to select theamount of tactile feedback provided by the tactile transducer 20 for aparticular seat 14 a-14 d. Specifically, if the occupant is positionedon the rear right passenger seat 14 d, the occupant can input thedesired amount of tactile feedback provided by the tactile transducer 20d that is mounted to the rear right passenger seat 14 d.

Additionally or alternatively, individual touch screens (or physicalknobs) 24 a-24 d (“24”) may be positioned proximate to each seat 14 forcontrolling the amount of tactile feedback provided by the tactiletransducer 20 for that given seat 14. For example, the individual touchscreen (or physical knob) 24 d may be positioned proximate to the rearright passenger seat 14 d to enable the occupant positioned on the rearright passenger seat 14 d to select the amount of tactile feedback thatis provided by the tactile transducer 20 d. In general, each tactiletransducer 20 may be mounted or installed either in a back side of theseat 14 or under the seat 14. Each tactile transducer 20 may be coupleddirectly to a seat frame of the seat 14 to enhance the tactile effect(or the vibrational effect) of the tactile transducer 20. The seat framemay evenly distribute the vibrations of the tactile transducer 20 acrossthe seat 14. It is desirable to package each tactile transducer 20 in adifferent mounting location to avoid tactile crosstalk or vibrationsfrom the seats 14 to interfere with one another. Each tactile transducer20 provides little to no audible output. Rather, the tactile transducer20 provides vibrations corresponding to the low frequencies (e.g., 20-70Hz) present in an audio output signal in the seat 14. It is recognizedthat the tactile transducer 20 may provide vibrations for frequencieslower than 20 Hz or for frequencies greater than 70 Hz.

Each seat 14 a-14 d may also include a corresponding occupant sensor 22a-22 d (or 20), respectively. In general, the occupant sensor 22provides an output indicative of whether an occupant is seated in theseat 14 to the head unit 16. The head unit 16 is configured to disablethe tactile feedback operation of the tactile transducer 20 when anoccupant is not positioned in a corresponding seat 14. This operationmay preserve energy consumption and optimize electrical efficiencyparticularly for hybrid and electric vehicles.

FIG. 2 generally depicts one example of the manner in which two tactiletransducers 20 are provided in the seat 14 in the vehicle 10 inaccordance to one embodiment. As can be seen, each tactile transducer 20is mounted directly to a frame 33 of the seat 14 so that the tactilefeed (or vibration) is evenly distributed on the frame 33 to enhance theeffect. In addition, a gap 35 may be provided between each transducer 20such the transducers 20 avoid any cross talk with one another tomitigate excessive or undesired rattles or buzzing.

FIG. 3 generally depicts a method 80 for providing a personalized basstactile output for a user in accordance to one embodiment.

In block 82, the head unit 16 receives a command from the user interface(positioned on the head unit 16), the mobile device 23, or the seattouchscreens (or rotary knobs) 24 to activate the tactile transducer 20to provide the tactile feedback for the user at the desired seat 14.

In block 84, the head unit 16 transmits a first control signal to theamplifier 18. The first control signal is indicative of the desiredtactile feedback to be provided by tactile transducer 20 and thecorresponding seat 14 that is selected by the occupant. For example, theuser may input a desired “intensity” into the head unit 16 thatcorresponds to a desired amount of vibration that the tactile transducer20 is to produce. The overall range of the intensity selected by theuser at the head unit 16 may vary from a subtle vibration to an intensevibration. In the event the user selects a subtle vibration, the tactiletransducer 20 may vibrate a small amount for low frequencies within theaudio output. In the event the user selects an intense vibration, thetactile transducer 20 may vibrate at a high amount for low frequencieswithin the audio output. The user can also deactivate (i.e., turn off)the tactile transducer 20 to avoid generating the vibration for theaudio output via the head unit 16. The head unit 16 may be arranged toactivate (i.e., turn on) or deactivate the tactile feedback (orvibration) of the tactile transducer 20.

Additionally or alternatively, the tactile transducer 20 may becontrolled by the user to provide a soft/subtle force for lowfrequencies or to provide an intense force for low frequencies based onthe user's selection. An overall excursion of the tactile transducer 20may change based on the user's input which impacts the force (and/orvibrations) of the tactile transducer 20.

In block 86, the amplifier 18 receives the first control signal andidentifies the particular seat 14 that is selected to provide thetactile feedback by the tactile transducer 20 in response to the firstcontrol signal.

In block 88, the amplifier 18 transmits a second control signal to theselected or desired seat 14 on an output that is assigned to the desiredseat 14 so that the tactile transducer 20 that is mounted to the desiredseat 14 provides the tactile feedback as requested by the occupant.

FIG. 4 generally depicts a method 100 for detecting an occupant in theseats 14 and for controlling the tactile transducer 20 based on whetherthe occupant is positioned in the seats 14 in accordance to oneembodiment.

In block 102, the head unit 16 receives an input from each occupantsensor 22 positioned in a corresponding seat 14.

In block 104, the head unit 16 determines which seats 14 are occupied byan occupant in response to the inputs from the occupant sensors 22.

In block 106, the head unit 16 enables the operation of controlling thetactile feedback for any corresponding seat 14 that is detected to havea vehicle occupant. For example, in the event the front passenger sideseat 14 b is detected to be occupied by a vehicle occupant, the headunit 16 enables a user to activate the tactile transducer 20 b of thefront passenger side seat 14 b in order to provide the tactile feedbackfor the vehicle occupant.

In block 108, the head unit 16 disables the operation of controlling thetactile feedback for any corresponding seat 14 that is detected to notinclude a vehicle occupant. For example, in the event the frontpassenger side seat 14 b is detected to not include the vehicleoccupant, the head unit 16 prevents the user from activating the tactiletransducer 20 b of the front passenger side seat 14 b irrespective ofwhere the input comes from (i.e., from the user interface on the headunit 16, the mobile device 23, or the seat touch screen or rotaryknobs). As noted above, this condition optimizes the overall efficiencyof the electrical system particularly for hybrid and electrical vehiclesand minimizes energy consumption.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended thatthese embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather,the words used in the specification are words of description rather thanlimitation, and it is understood that various changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may becombined to form further embodiments of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for providing a tactile outputassociated with an audio output, the apparatus comprising: a head unitbeing operably coupled to a plurality of tactile transducers, eachtactile transducer being positioned in a seat of a vehicle, the headunit being configured to: receive a first command indicative of a firstdesired tactile feedback for a first seat of the vehicle, the firstdesired tactile feedback being associated with an audio output that isplayed back by one or more speakers in the vehicle; and transmit a firstcontrol signal indicative of the first desired tactile feedback to beprovided by a first tactile transducer in the first seat of the vehiclesuch that the first tactile transducer generates the first desiredtactile feedback at the first seat while the one or more speakers in thevehicle playback the audio output.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe head unit is further configured to receive a second commandindicative of a second desired tactile feedback for a second seat of thevehicle, the second desired tactile feedback being associated with theaudio output that is played by the one or more speakers in the vehicle.3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the head unit is further configuredto transmit a second control signal indicative of the second desiredtactile feedback to be provided by a second tactile transducer in thesecond seat of the vehicle such that the second tactile transducergenerates the desired second tactile feedback at the second seat whilethe one or more speakers in the vehicle playback the audio output. 4.The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising an amplifier configured to:receive the first control signal; receive the second control signal;transmit a third control signal indicative of the first desired tactilefeedback to the first tactile transducer from a first output thereof inresponse to the first control signal; and transmit a fourth controlsignal indicative of the second desired tactile feedback to the secondtactile transducer from a second output thereof in response to thesecond control signal, wherein the first output is different than thesecond output to enable independent control for each of the firsttactile transducer and the second tactile transducer.
 5. The apparatusof claim 3 wherein the first desired tactile feedback is different thanthe second desired tactile feedback.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3 whereinthe first desired tactile feedback corresponds to a first desired amountof vibrations for a predetermined frequency range of the audio outputand wherein the second desired tactile feedback corresponds to a seconddesired amount of vibrations for the predetermined frequency range ofthe audio output, wherein the first desired amount of vibrations isdifferent than the second desired amount of vibrations.
 7. The apparatusof claim 6 wherein the predetermined frequency range corresponds to20-70 Hz.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the head unit is furtherconfigured to receive the first command from at least one of: (i) one ormore physical knobs positioned proximate to any one seat in the vehicle,(ii) a mobile device, (iii) an individualized touch screen positionedproximate to the any one seat in the vehicle, and (iv) a user interfacepositioned on the head unit.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein thehead unit is further configured to receive a signal from an occupantsensor indicative of whether a vehicle occupant is positioned on thefirst seat.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the head unit isfurther configured to deactivate the first tactile transducer inresponse to the signal indicating that the vehicle occupant is notpositioned in the first seat.
 11. A computer-program product embodied ina non-transitory computer read-able medium that is programmed forproviding a tactile output associated with an audio output with aplurality of tactile transducers, each tactile transducer beingpositioned in a seat of a vehicle, the computer-program productcomprising instructions for: receiving a first command indicative of afirst desired tactile feedback for a first seat of the vehicle, thefirst desired tactile feedback being associated with an audio outputthat is played back by one or more speakers in the vehicle; andtransmitting a first control signal indicative of the first desiredtactile feedback to be provided by a first tactile transducer in thefirst seat of the vehicle such that the first tactile transducergenerates the first desired tactile feedback at the first seat while theone or more speakers in the vehicle playback the audio output.
 12. Thecomputer-program product of claim 11 further comprising instructions forreceiving a second command indicative of a second desired tactilefeedback for a second seat of the vehicle, the second desired tactilefeedback being associated with the audio output that is played by theone or more speakers in the vehicle.
 13. The computer-program product ofclaim 12 further comprising instructions for transmitting a secondcontrol signal indicative of the second desired tactile feedback to beprovided by a second tactile transducer in the second seat of thevehicle such that the second tactile transducer generates the desiredsecond tactile feedback at the second seat while the one or morespeakers in the vehicle playback the audio output.
 14. Thecomputer-program product of claim 13 wherein the first desired tactilefeedback is different than the second desired tactile feedback.
 15. Thecomputer-program product of claim 13 wherein the first desired tactilefeedback corresponds to a first desired amount of vibrations for apredetermined frequency range of the audio output and wherein the seconddesired tactile feedback corresponds to a second desired amount ofvibrations for the predetermined frequency range of the audio output,wherein the first desired amount of vibrations is different than thesecond desired amount of vibrations.
 16. The computer-program product ofclaim 15 wherein the predetermined frequency range corresponds to 20-70Hz.
 17. The computer-program product of claim 11 further comprisinginstructions for receiving the command from at least one of: (i) one ormore physical knobs positioned proximate to any one seat in the vehicle,(ii) a mobile device, and (iii) an individualized touch screenpositioned proximate to the any one seat in the vehicle.
 18. Thecomputer-program product of claim 11 further comprising instructions forreceiving a signal from an occupant sensor indicative of whether avehicle occupant is positioned on the first seat.
 19. Thecomputer-program product of claim 18 further comprising instructionsdeactivating the tactile transducer in response to the signal indicatingthat the vehicle occupant is not positioned in the first seat.
 20. Anapparatus for providing a tactile output associated with an audiooutput, the apparatus comprising: a tactile transducer configured to bepositioned in a seat of a vehicle to provide a tactile feedbackassociated with an audio output that is played back by one or morespeakers in the vehicle and to be operably coupled to a head unit thatreceives a command indicative of a desired tactile feedback for the seatand that transmits a control signal indicative of desired tactilefeedback to be provided by the tactile transducer.